The Ford Model C is an automobile that was produced by
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (commonly known as Ford) is an American multinational corporation, multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. It was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. T ...
. Introduced in late 1904, the Model C was Ford's lower priced 1905 model. The first sales were in October 1904, with most sold during the 1905 calendar year. Horace Dodge made major changes to the design of the engine, rear axle and other parts of the car. The Model C used the same 10 hp motor the 1904 Model A was equipped with. Model C had a longer wheelbase than the earlier Model A. Built at the
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, it was the entry-level car in the Ford model lineup, slotting below the upscale
Model B. Production ended in 1905 with approximately 1,000 cars produced (Canada production included). About 160-170 Model C were assembled in Canada at Ford's new Ford Canada location in Walkerville. Due to the
Dodge Brothers owning a ten percent share of the company, as well as supplying many parts and assemblies, the Model C took to the road with Dodge-built engines and other key assemblies.
The Model C engine was an
opposed twin, 10 hp car, with a claimed top speed of .
The Model C two-seater, sometimes marketed as a "doctor's car," sold for $850 ($ in dollars ), compared to the high-volume
Oldsmobile Runabout at US$650,
Western's Gale Model A at US$500, and the
Success at a low US$250.
[Clymer, p.32.] It offered a four-seater option for an additional $100. The top also cost extra: rubber $30, leather $50.
Although the Model C had a protruding front "hood," like a modern car, instead of the flat-front Model A, this was largely ornamental — the engine remained under the seat (the gas tank was under the hood
).
The Model C was the first vehicle to be built at
Ford Motor Company of Canada.
File:1904 Ford Model C 10hp 2.0 Rear.jpg, Rear
File:1905 Ford Model C Doctors Car.jpg, 1905 Ford Model C Doctors Car
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{{Ford
Model C
Cars introduced in 1904
1900s cars
Veteran vehicles
Cars powered by boxer engines
Cars powered by 2-cylinder engines
Motor vehicles manufactured in the United States
Cars discontinued in 1905